When it comes to staying up to date with seasonal vaccinations, there are some very real obstacles that modern individuals face. From arranging transportation and researching contraindications to taking time off work and the subsequent pay reductions — these hurdles can be time-consuming and costly.
But, for other members of our society, difficulties like these aren’t just irritating, they’re downright hindering. At Village Apothecary, we believe vaccinations shouldn’t be a privilege. They should be readily accessible to anyone who wants one regardless of physical ability and care needs.
That’s why we’re proud to provide education on home and bed-bound vaccines, and even more proud to offer them to our community as one of our many vaccine services!
Read on to learn more about who would benefit from an at-home vaccination experience and what vaccines are available for in-home vaccinations. Plus, how to get started with a home and bed-bound vaccine service, whether you’re reading for yourself or on behalf of a loved one.
In This Article:
- Understanding Home and Bed-bound Vaccines
- Who Are Homebound and Bed-bound Vaccines for?
- Benefits of Home Vaccine Services
- Types of Vaccines Offered for Homebound Patients
- How In-Home Vaccines Work
Understanding Home and Bed-bound Vaccines
Home and bed-bound vaccines, as implied by the name, take place in the comfort of the individual’s home. The latter, bed-bound vaccines, are administered to individuals requiring temporary or long-term bed rest for their continued care.
This type of vaccine administration is crucial for protecting our community as a whole, as those who are home or bed-bound are typically at a higher risk level for contracting critical cases of illnesses. Although you might assume the opposite to be true, as homebound individuals may be exposed to illnesses less frequently, it’s not the case.
Those who require in-home care are often immunocompromised, which makes maintaining updated vaccination status vital for their health and well-being. People with health complications or compromised immune systems often can’t afford to contract what are generally considered mild illnesses because they’re more likely to develop severe symptoms.
Even when it comes to illnesses like the flu — which is responsible for thousands of deaths every year.
So it’s important to remember that, despite the potentially lowered exposure to disease, regular vaccination is still a core facet of care for home and bed-bound individuals.
Learn More: Vaccine Season Preview: 2024-2025
Who Are Homebound and Bed-bound Vaccines for?
Before you dive into setting up a home and bed-bound vaccine service for yourself or your loved one, make sure eligibility requirements are met.
This form of vaccine administration is intended for individuals who:
- Whether due to an illness or injury, have a condition that restricts their ability to leave their home without a caregiver or assistive technology.
- Have a condition or compromised immune system that may make them more susceptible or vulnerable to a disease.
- Or are generally unable to leave their home without considerable effort for another reason.
Understanding the nuance of these eligibility requirements can be tricky. For example, patients who are considered hard-to-reach due to disabilities OR socioeconomic/geographical barriers may be eligible for home and bed-bound vaccines.
Are you an individual facing socioeconomic or geographical challenges that reduce your ability to get vaccinated at a remote or in-person clinic? Speak with your healthcare provider or one of our experienced vaccination experts to learn more about your eligibility for home and bed-bound vaccines.
Benefits of Home and Bed-Bound Vaccines
For caregivers and homebound patients, the benefits of an in-home vaccine service are readily apparent. However, they might not be as obvious to those without similar experiences.
So let’s take a moment to appreciate the positive aspects of home and bed-bound vaccines. Plus, how they can improve the lives of our fellow citizens.
- Convenience and Comfort: Home vaccine services provide integral community care to some of the most vulnerable members of our population. By reducing the stress and discomfort associated with travel, everyone who wants and is eligible for seasonal vaccinations is able to receive the care they need.
- Personalized Care: Many home or bed-bound individuals can benefit from tailored vaccine services that suit their unique health needs. Patients who have recently received an organ transplant or are over the age of 65, for example, might need a high-dose flu shot. This kind of individualized care is not only beneficial but essential for addressing specific health needs.
- Enhanced Safety: To reiterate, reduced exposure to illnesses is a necessary step in the care of home or bed-bound patients. While traditional vaccine services typically require the individual to go out in public, home and bed-bound vaccines drastically reduce the risk of exposure to illness by allowing them to remain in the safety of their homes.
Want to know another little-known benefit of homebound vaccine services? If you choose a provider like Village Apothecary, these vaccines can also be made available to in-home caregivers, too. Because caregivers are the backbone of our society! And reducing their exposure to illness benefits not only their patients but our community as a whole.
Types of Vaccines Offered for Homebound Patients
The types of shots offered through home and bed-bound vaccine services will differ depending on which provider you partner with. At Village Apothecary, we’re honored to offer a range of vaccines for homebound individuals.
COVID-19
- Spikevax (Moderna)
- Comirnaty (Pfizer)
- Novavax
Learn More: 2024 COVID-19 Vaccine Rundown: Everything You Need to Know
FLU
- Fluad (Regular + High-Dose)
- Flucelvax (Regular + High-Dose)
Learn More: 2024 Flu Vaccine Rundown: Everything You Need to Know
RSV
- Arexvy
Learn More: 2024 RSV Vaccine Rundown: Everything You Need to Know
SHINGLES
- Prevnar-20
Keep in mind that the availability of these vaccines may change depending on stock status and time of year. Speak with one of our experts! Or check out this handy list that’s updated daily, for more information about which vaccines are currently in stock.
Learn More: Dr. Neal’s Vaccine Recommendations Rundown: Who Needs What and When
How Home Vaccine Services Work
One major goal of offering home and bed-bound vaccines is to remove the obstacles and reduce the stress of getting vaccinated. So it makes sense that the application for in-home vaccines reflects this prioritization of ease and comfort.
Typically, the home and bed-bound vaccine application process looks something like this:
- You’ll complete a HIPAA-compliant form for the patient as well as for each caregiver.
- Our team, or the vaccine service provider you choose, will reach out for scheduling. While there may be some limitations to the times available for in-home vaccines, our experts will do their best to establish a date and time that works best for the patient and caregiver(s).
- The last step involves completing pre-vaccine health assessments when necessary. These assessments offer your homebound vaccine provider important information regarding contraindications and potential reactions to vaccines.
Once these necessary steps have been accomplished, the vaccine administration experience comes next. Arriving at the scheduled date and time, your in-home vaccine provider will quickly, safely, and efficiently administer the vaccinations.
Pretty simple, right?
Built into this process is time and availability for caregivers and patients to ask any questions they may have about their home and bed-bound vaccines. From insurance coverage to brand comparison, our team of vaccination professionals is equipped to address any concerns you might have.
Home and Bed-Bound Vaccines: Protecting Our Community
The hustle and bustle of everyday life can often overshadow the needs of the most vulnerable among us. Hence why it’s essential to remember that care and compassion can make all the difference.
At Village Apothecary, our mission goes beyond just administering vaccines. It’s about ensuring that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, has access to the protection they need.
For many, leaving home isn’t just inconvenient — it can be impossible. That’s why our home and bed-bound vaccine services are designed to bring essential care directly to those who need it most. By removing barriers and providing personalized, in-home care, we aim to make staying up-to-date with vaccinations as stress-free and accessible as possible.
If you or a loved one could benefit from our at-home vaccine services, don’t hesitate to reach out to our dedicated team. We’re here to help you navigate this process with ease and provide the care that’s right for you. Contact us today to schedule a homebound vaccine or learn more about our vaccine services right here.
